士别三日，当刮目相待 — “When someone has made significant progress or improvements”
士别三日，当刮目相待 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “When someone has made significant progress or improvements”. One should not judge them based on their past self, but instead look at them with a fresh perspective and new appreciation. Literally, “A scholar gone for three days should be looked at with new eyes”.
士别三日，当刮目相待 Pronunciation and Pinyin
士别三日，当刮目相待 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 士别三日，当刮目相待
Origin and Story of 士别三日，当刮目相待
During the Three Kingdoms period, Lu Meng, a general from Eastern Wu who was skilled in martial arts but lacked literary knowledge, began to study diligently after being persuaded by Sun Quan.
After a period of time, Governor Lu Su came to inspect Lu Meng's defensive post. Lu Meng discussed the preparations against the state of Shu in a clear and well-organized manner, and even presented a written proposal to Lu Su, which greatly astonished him.
Lu Meng then remarked, "When a scholar has been away for three days, one should look at him with new eyes."
Idioms Related to 士别三日，当刮目相待
More idioms starting with 士
- shì士wèi为zhī知jǐ己zhě者sǐ死Die for one's true patron
- shì士nóng农gōng工shāng商scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants
- shì士bié别sān三rì日，，guā刮mù目xiāng相dài待Look at someone with new eyes
- shì士kě可shā杀bù不kě可rǔ辱Rather die than suffer humiliation
- shì士sǐ死zhī知jǐ己A devoted person dies for a true friend
- shì士shēn绅míng名liú流dignitaries and social elites
- shì士bǎo饱mǎ马téng腾soldiers well-fed, horses vigorous, high morale
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Open the tool →Questions about 士别三日，当刮目相待
What does 士别三日，当刮目相待 mean?
士别三日，当刮目相待 (shì bié sān rì ， dāng guā mù xiāng dài) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “When someone has made significant progress or improvements”.
How do you pronounce 士别三日，当刮目相待?
士别三日，当刮目相待 is pronounced shì bié sān rì ， dāng guā mù xiāng dài in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 士别三日，当刮目相待 literally mean?
Literally, 士别三日，当刮目相待 means “a scholar gone for three days should be looked at with new eyes”. It is used to mean “When someone has made significant progress or improvements”.
Where does 士别三日，当刮目相待 come from?
士别三日，当刮目相待 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 士别三日，当刮目相待?
指别人已有进步，不能再用老眼光去看他。